Withdraw semester system: UoP senate members

Hardly five months after introducing semester system for postgraduate courses, the University of Pune8217;s senate members have forwarded their resolution to withdraw the system.

Hardly five months after introducing semester system for postgraduate courses, the University of Pune8217;s UoP senate members have forwarded their resolution to withdraw the system.

Three senate members Suresh Todkar, advocate Chintamani Ghate and Hari Solanki have sought withdrawal of the semester pattern. The main reason cited is that students were facing difficulties in adjusting to the change which required them to appear for exams three times a year at the end of each semester. The members have also complained that professors do not get enough time to complete the entire syllabus within one semester resulting in students8217; loss. 8220;Most of their time goes in preparing for the exams and paper setting,8221; stated Suresh Todkar in his resolution.

Solanki, on the other hand has reasoned that rural students have to bear the burden of paying examination fees thrice a year. He has stated in his resolution that 8220;it delays the declaration of results8221;. Ghate8217;s resolution also stated that 8220;the semester pattern introduced in some faculties be replaced with annual pattern to ensure academic continuity and reduction of financial burden on students8221;.

It was on May 9 this year, that UoP vice chancellor Dr Narendra Jadhav announced the introduction of the semester pattern at postgraduate-level studies in all its affiliated colleges and recognised institutions from 2008-09.

Greater flexibility and reforms like credit-based evaluation, dual degrees and credit sharing with universities abroad, were cited as the reasons for switching over to the semester system. Also, UoP was the first in the country to introduce the semester pattern of studies at its on-campus post-graduate PG science departments in 1971. However, the pattern never went beyond the PG science subjects to include other streams.

There are more than 250 UoP affiliated colleges offering PG courses.